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American Legion Jersey Boys State

74th Annual Boys State Directors Conference

September 26, 2009

American Legion Jersey Boys State www.aljbs.org | boysstate.com

Program Overview


Program Established in 1945

2010 will be our 65th annual session

Held at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ since 1968

Week after Father Day; Sunday to Friday

$185 fee; Program is Profitable

850 delegates in 2009 vs. 833 in 2008

100+ staff members

Staff mix of Legionnaires and non-Legionnaires

Extensive Use of Past Delegates

Separate Corporation

Not-for-Profit Foundation

Year Round Program

Notorious Alumni include: Justice Alito, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Coach Bill Parcells, and James Gandolfini

Best Practices

Program Positioning

Staffing

Technology

Seminars


Fiscal Management

Foundation Support

Patriotism

General

Program Positioning


Need to make Program compelling

Competition from other youth programs

Advanced delegates

Delegates „talk”

College Level Seminar

Program “attitude”

Technology

Caliber of delegates

High quality speakers

College credit

Seminars

College fair

Younger, professional, involved staff

Staffing


Low Student-to-teacher ratio

10:1 or better

Mix of Legionnaires, SAL and non-Legionnaires

Utilize past delegates extensively

Ability for non-Legionnaires to assume leadership positions

Ability to assume more responsibility

Defined roles and responsibilities

Formal staff development and evaluation

Recruiting

Program input and involvement

Year round commitment

Events

Succession planning

Background checks

TechnologyUse technology in all areas of Program

Recruitment

Orientation

Registration

Politics

Sports

Seminars

Staffing

Communication including public relations

Video yearbook

City/County manuals and websites

Website: aljbs.org | boysstate.com

Realtime Election Results

Utilize Linkedin, Facebook, Yahoo Groups and others


Seminars


Integral part of making ALJBS college level experience

At least 24 different seminars every year

5-7 per day

90 minutes each

Delegates are required to attend one seminar each day

Topics include: CPR certification, Careers in Sports, Careers in Business, Careers in Law, Careers in Entertainment, Careers in Education, Careers in Technology, Careers in the State Police

Speakers are experts in their field and include former delegates and staff members

Fiscal Management


Fee has been constant at $185 for over 20 years

Manage relationship with host college

Watch expenses

High quality financial managers

Alternative funding sources:

NJ Boys State Foundation

“Sub-sponsors”

Advertising

“Project 1000”

Foundation Support


NJ Boys State Foundation established in 2002

Over $500,000 in cash and non-cash contributions to-date

Goal is to endow ALJBS in perpetuity

$3-4 million endowment needed

Current endowment in excess of $100k

Focus on technology added value

Pay for Program “extras”

PatriotismAppreciation for the American Legion and

veterans.

Retreat

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Flag Ceremony

D-Day Presentation

MIA/POW Ceremony

Career seminars

Legionnaires on-staff


GeneralDelegate recruiting

Program and staff evaluation

Legion/Non-Legion relationship

Boys Nation S-“Election”

Year round effort

High quality sports and recreation program

Public Safety



Contact information:

David Bagatelle, Director

[email protected]

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